·Adjusted net income increased 21.0% to $56.3 million, or $0.73 per diluted share

·Adjusted EBITDA increased 9.5% to $192.9 million

·276 stores at year-end, including 127 Smart & Final Extra! stores

2015 was an exceptional year for Smart & Final Stores, said Mr. David Hirz, President and Chief Executive Officer. Our focus on execution positioned us to deliver strong top-line sales growth and record bottom-line financial performance. We completed our 2015 store development plan, which included expanding our Smart & Final Extra! store base by nearly 30% and adding two new Cash & Carry stores. Additionally, we continued the successful roll-out of key merchandising initiatives, which helped contribute to our 26th year of positive comparable store sales over the past 27 years.

Mr. Hirz added, Weve set a new standard for growth at Smart & Final Stores and have made the necessary investments to support an accelerated pace of expansion in 2016. We plan to increase our Smart & Final banner store base by 15% this year, driven by the successful acquisition of 33 store leases and related assets in central and southern California previously operated under the Haggen banner. In addition, we plan to open four to five new Cash & Carry stores in 2016.

In order to aid understanding of the Companys business performance, it has presented results in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and has also presented adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share, adjusted net income per diluted share, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures that are explained and reconciled to the comparable GAAP measures in the tables included in this release. Where applicable, the numbers below are first presented on a GAAP basis and then on an adjusted basis.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2015 Financial Results

Net sales were $997.6 million, representing an 18.9% increase as compared to $839.3 million in the same period of 2014. An increase in net sales of $73.3 million was attributable to an additional week in the fourth quarter of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. Net sales growth was driven by a 3.5% increase in comparable store sales and from the net sales contribution of new stores. The growth in comparable store sales was comprised of a 3.9% increase in comparable transaction count and a 0.4% decrease in comparable average transaction size, which was negatively impacted by deflation.

1

Net sales for Smart & Final banner stores were $780.6 million, a 21.1% increase as compared to $644.6 million in the same period of 2014. Comparable store sales growth for the Smart & Final banner was 4.1% in the fourth quarter.

Net sales for Cash & Carry banner stores were $217.0 million, an 11.5% increase as compared to $194.7 million in the same period of 2014. Comparable store sales growth for the Cash & Carry banner was 1.7% in the fourth quarter.

Gross margin from operations was $147.9 million, an 18.3% increase as compared to $125.0 million in the same period of 2014. Gross margin rate in the fourth quarter was 14.8% as compared to 14.9% in the same period of 2014.

Operating and administrative expenses were $125.9 million, a 21.0% increase as compared to $104.0 million in the same period of 2014. This increase was primarily related to increased store development activities and increased public company costs.

Net income was $10.0 million, as compared to $9.3 million in the same period of 2014. Net income per diluted share was $0.13 as compared to $0.12 in the same period of 2014, and reflects an increase of approximately 1.3 million fully diluted shares.

Adjusted net income was $14.7 million, an increase of 19.5% as compared to $12.3 million for the same period of 2014. Adjusted net income per diluted share was $0.19 as compared to $0.16 in the same period of 2014, and reflects an increase of approximately 1.3 million fully diluted shares.

Adjusted EBITDA was $47.4 million, an increase of 14.7% as compared to $41.3 million in the same period of 2014.

Full Year Fiscal 2015 Financial Results

Net sales were $3,971.0 million for the 53 weeks ended January 3, 2016, representing a 12.4% increase as compared to $3,534.2 million in fiscal 2014. An increase in net sales of $73.3 million was attributable to an additional week in fiscal 2015 as compared to 2014. Net sales growth was driven by a 4.5% increase in comparable store sales and from the net sales contribution of 22 new store openings in 2015. The growth in comparable store sales was comprised of a 4.4% increase in comparable transaction count and a 0.1% increase in comparable average transaction size.

Net sales for Smart & Final banner stores were $3,036.9 million, a 13.8% increase as compared to $2,668.9 million in fiscal 2014. Fiscal 2015 comparable store sales growth for the Smart & Final banner was 4.4%.

Gross margin from operations was $598.9 million, an increase of $71.6 million, or 13.6%, as compared to $527.3 million in fiscal 2014. As a percentage of sales, gross margin rate for fiscal 2015 was 15.1% as compared to 14.9% in fiscal 2014.

Net income was $38.3 million, a 15.5% increase as compared to $33.1 million in fiscal 2014. Net income per diluted share was $0.50 as compared to $0.52 in fiscal 2014, and reflects an increase of approximately 13.3 million fully diluted shares, including shares issued in the Companys September 2014 initial public offering (the IPO).

Adjusted net income was $56.3 million, an increase of 21.0% as compared to $46.5 million in fiscal 2014. Adjusted net income per diluted share was $0.73 in both fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, reflecting an increase of approximately 13.3 million fully diluted shares, including shares issued in the IPO.

Adjusted EBITDA was $192.9 million, an increase of 9.5% as compared to $176.1 million in fiscal 2014.

Growth and Development

During fiscal 2015, the Company opened 20 new Smart & Final Extra! stores and completed nine conversions of legacy Smart & Final stores to the Smart & Final Extra! format, including three store relocations. The Company also opened two new Cash & Carry stores. As of January 3, 2016, the Company operated a total of 127 Smart & Final Extra! and 94 legacy Smart & Final stores, and 55 Cash & Carry stores.

Operating Stores at Fiscal Year End

Smart & Final Banner Stores

Extra! format

Legacy format

Total

Cash & Carry Banner Stores

Total Company

End of Fiscal 2014

98

103

201

53

254

New stores

20

-

20

2

22

Relocations, net

3

(3)

-

-

-

Conversions

6

(6)

-

-

-

End of Fiscal 2015

127

94

221

55

276

Leverage and Liquidity

At January 3, 2016, the Companys debt, net of debt discount, was $595.1 million and cash and cash equivalents was $59.3 million.

In the 53-week period ended January 3, 2016, the Company generated cash from operations of $145.4 million. The Company invested $128.9 million in capital expenditures, primarily related to the development of Extra! format stores, and Cash & Carry stores and to improvements of existing assets. In the fourth quarter, the Company invested an additional $66.4 million in the acquisition of 33 store leases and related assets previously operated under the Haggen banner.

3

Outlook

Mr. Hirz added, We look forward to building on our positive momentum in 2016. We have a strong team in place and the resources to execute our multi-year growth plan. As a result, were anticipating that 2016 will mark our 27th year of positive comparable store sales in the last 28 years.

The Company is providing the following guidance for the 52 week, full year ending January 1, 2017:

Fiscal Year Ending January 1, 2017

Net sales growth

15% - 16%

Comparable store sales growth

2.5% - 3.0%

Unit growth (net new stores)

33 Smart & Final Extra!4 - 5 Cash & Carry

Relocations of existing stores to Extra! format

6 Smart & Final

Conversions of legacy stores to Extra! format

6 stores

Adjusted EBITDA

$205 - $210 million

Adjusted net income

$58 - $60 million

Adjusted diluted EPS

$0.75 - $0.77

Capital expenditures

$150 - $160 million

Basic weighted average shares

73.3 million

Fully diluted weighted average shares

77.6 million

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company expects to open 13 to 14 new Smart & Final Extra! stores and complete two relocations of legacy Smart & Final stores to the Extra! format. The Company additionally is providing first quarter 2016 guidance for comparable store sales growth of 2.00% to 2.25% and Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $34 to $36 million.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2015 financial results. To participate in the call, please dial (877) 407-0784 (U.S.) or (201) 689-8560 (International) ten minutes prior to the start time. The conference call can also be accessed on the Investors section of the Companys web site at http://www.smartandfinal-investor.com/.

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a telephonic replay of the call will also be available beginning today at approximately 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, by dialing (877) 870-5176 (U.S.) or (858) 384-5517 (International) and entering the replay pin number: 13630488. The telephonic replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.

4

About Smart & Final

Smart & Final Stores, Inc. (SFS), is a value-oriented food and everyday staples retailer that serves household and business customers. The Company is headquartered in Commerce (located in Los Angeles), CA, where it was founded 145 years ago. As of January 3, 2016, the Company operated 276 grocery and foodservice stores under the Smart & Final, Smart & Final Extra! and Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice banners in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho, with an additional 15 stores in northern Mexico operated through a joint venture.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release that are not historical information contain forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions of future events which may not prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms may, should, expects, plans, anticipates, could, intends, target, projects, contemplates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. The Company derives many of its forward-looking statements from its operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While the Company believes that its assumptions are reasonable, it is difficult to predict the impact of known factors and, of course, it is impossible to anticipate all factors that could affect actual results. These factors are discussed in the special note concerning Forward-Looking Statements, Risk Factors, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Business sections and elsewhere in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by the Company herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company to predict these events or how they may affect it. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws.

INVESTOR CONTACTS:

Laura Bainbridge / Andrew Greenebaum

Addo Communications

O: 310.829.5400

investors@smartandfinal.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

press@smartandfinal.com

5

Smart & Final Stores, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Thirteen Weeks Ended

Twelve Weeks Ended

Fifty-three Weeks Ended

Fifty-two Weeks Ended

January 3, 2016

December 28, 2014

January 3, 2016

December 28, 2014

Net sales

$

997,626

$

839,336

$

3,970,980

$

3,534,244

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

849,753

714,325

3,372,120

3,006,955

Gross margin

147,873

125,011

598,860

527,289

Operating and administrative expenses

125,873

104,001

503,995

438,528

Income from operations

22,000

21,010

94,865

88,761

Interest expense, net

7,680

8,119

32,687

37,602

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

-



2,192

2,224

Equity in earnings of joint venture

333

5

1,378

1,037

Income before income taxes

14,653

12,896

61,364

49,972

Income tax provision

(4,692)

(3,623)

(23,102)

(16,854)

Net income

$

9,961

$

9,273

$

38,262

$

33,118

Net income per share:

Basic

$

0.14

$

0.13

$

0.52

$

0.54

Diluted

$

0.13

$

0.12

$

0.50

$

0.52

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

73,191,829

73,074,360

73,121,964

61,455,584

Diluted

77,497,406

76,193,944

77,141,621

63,841,118

6

Smart & Final Stores, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

January 3, 2016

December 28, 2014

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

59,327

$

106,847

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $454 and $787 at January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014, respectively

27,304

23,666

Inventories

234,289

223,404

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

29,072

26,532

Deferred income taxes

22,471

22,419

Total current assets

372,463

402,868

Property, plant, and equipment:

Land

10,940

11,165

Buildings and improvements

20,441

23,938

Leasehold improvements

237,820

176,114

Fixtures and equipment

266,080

203,473

Construction in progress

19,501

7,344

554,782

422,034

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

174,906

115,350

379,876

306,684

Capitalized software, net of accumulated amortization of $12,356 and $9,486 at January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014, respectively

To supplement the Companys financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, namely adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share, adjusted net income per diluted share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to clarify and enhance understanding of its past performance. The Company defines adjusted net income as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the table

9

below. The Company defines adjusted net income per share as adjusted net income divided by the weighted average basic shares outstanding. The Company defines adjusted net income per diluted share as adjusted net income divided by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding. The Company defines EBITDA as net income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense and provision for income tax, and adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for the items set forth in the table below.

Use of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. Each of these non-GAAP measures has its limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Companys results as reported under GAAP.

The following tables present reconciliations of adjusted net income, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA tonet income, and adjusted net income per share and adjusted net income per diluted share to net incomeper share, for the thirteen-week and fifty-three-week periods ended January 3, 2016 and the twelve-weekand fifty-two week periods ended December 28, 2014.

Smart & Final Stores, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

Thirteen Weeks

Fifty-three Weeks

Fifty-two Weeks

Ended

Twelve Weeks Ended

Ended

Ended

January 3, 2016

December 28, 2014

January 3, 2016

December 28, 2014

Net income

$

9,961

$

9,273

$

38,262

$

33,118

Depreciation and amortization

17,096

15,201

68,766

64,194

Interest expense, net

7,680

8,119

32,687

37,602

Income tax provision

4,692

3,623

23,102

16,854

EBITDA

39,429

36,216

162,817

151,768

Adjustments to EBITDA

Transaction costs (a)

-

(100)

936

1,539

Net loss from closed stores and exit costs (b)

332

569

2,344

2,030

Loss from asset dispositions (c)

838

345

1,396

851

Share-based compensation expense (d)

1,922

2,874

10,003

11,329

Non-cash rent (e)

1,430

646

4,508

4,797

Pre-opening costs (f)

3,369

872

8,543

3,971

Loss on extinguishment of debt (g)

-

-

2,192

2,224

Other items (h)

38

(119)

135

(2,399)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

47,358

$

41,303

$

192,874

$

176,110

10

Smart & Final Stores, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Thirteen Weeks

Fifty-three Weeks

Fifty-two Weeks

Ended

Twelve Weeks Ended

Ended

Ended

January 3, 2016

December 28, 2014

January 3, 2016

December 28, 2014

Net income

$

9,961

$

9,273

$

38,262

$

33,118

Income tax provision

4,692

3,623

23,102

16,854

Net income before income taxes

14,653

12,896

61,364

49,972

Adjustments to Net Income

Transaction costs (a)

-

(100)

936

1,539

Net loss from closed stores and exit costs (b)

332

569

2,344

2,030

Loss from asset dispositions (c)

838

345

1,396

851

Share-based compensation expense (d)

1,922

2,874

10,003

11,329

Non-cash rent (e)

1,430

646

4,508

4,797

Pre-opening costs (f)

3,369

872

8,543

3,971

Loss on extinguishment of debt (g)

-

-

2,192

2,224

Other items (h)

38

(119)

135

(2,399)

Adjusted income tax provision

(7,857)

(5,658)

(35,140)

(27,800)

Adjusted net income

$

14,725

$

12,325

$

56,281

$

46,514

Adjusted Net Income Per Share

Net income per share - basic

$

0.14

$

0.13

$

0.52

$

0.54

Per share impact of net income adjustments

0.06

0.04

$

0.25

$

0.22

Adjusted net income per share - basic

$

0.20

$

0.17

$

0.77

$

0.76

Net income per share - diluted

$

0.13

$

0.12

$

0.50

$

0.52

Per share impact of net income adjustments

0.06

0.04

$

0.23

$

0.21

Adjusted net income per share - diluted

$

0.19

$

0.16

$

0.73

$

0.73

Weighted average shares - basic

73,191,829

73,074,360

73,121,964

61,455,584

Weighted average shares - fully diluted

77,497,406

76,193,944

77,141,621

63,841,118

(a) Represents costs primarily associated with the Companys secondary public offering that were charged to expense in the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016 and the Companys initial public offering that were charged to expense in the twelve-week and fiscal year ended December 28, 2014.

(g) Represents loss on the early extinguishment of debt in (i) the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016 in connection with an amendment to the Companys Term Loan Facility and the write-off of unamortized debt discount and deferred financing costs and (ii) the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014 in connection with an early payment on the Companys Term Loan Facility.

(h) Represents (i) reversal of a reserve related to executive compensation for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, (ii) death benefit income from a Company-owned life insurance policy for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, and (iii) consulting expenses related to strategic growth initiatives for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014.